Civic Center to be transformed by 1,200+ LED Lights

For Immediate Release

Contact: Patricia Suflita Wilson  (415) 748-0494 patricia@illuminate.org 

San Francisco Recreation and Park Department rpdcommunications@sfgov.org

SAN FRANCISCO – Arts nonprofit Illuminate and the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department are unveiling SPECTRA, a groundbreaking new LED public art installation that will illuminate the Civic Center area at Fulton Plaza. SPECTRA spans 1.6 acres across the rooftops of the San Francisco Public Library and the Asian Art Museum, where 1,271 individually programmable LEDs will pulse and shimmer in an audio-reactive display of color and light. Arranged in a dynamic waveform that mimics both light and sound spectrums, SPECTRA ripples across the sky.

The new public art exhibit perfectly frames the landmark San Francisco City Hall, a Beaux-Arts building known for its grand dome and intricate details. Ben Davis, Founder of Illuminate, stated, “The long-held promise of a revitalized city center is finally starting to take shape. The Civic Center area is being transformed into a safer, cleaner, well-lit, and more vibrant part of our city. Illuminate is honored to be part of this sustained, collective effort to restore this area as a source of pride and a true gathering place for the community. This installation was supported by Illuminate volunteers, adding to the true spirit of community.”

Davis invited Oakland-based artist Joshua Hubert to Fulton Plaza in late 2023 to begin conceptualizing the public art piece that would transform the beleaguered area. The project is now ready to be unveiled to the public. Hubert’s SPECTRA transforms the space with light and movement, echoing the movements of the koi fish murals circling the plaza below, created by artist Jeremy Novy.

Artist Joshua Hubert describes the vision behind the installation: “SPECTRA is intended to be collaborative and open-source. It is a canvas for creativity that’s meant to grow and change. Public art belongs to everyone—it’s a living, breathing entity, and SPECTRA is a reflection of the energy we all bring to it. It’s more than just light and sound, it reflects the vibrant and diverse spectrum of individuals who shape this city and call it home.”

The installation will debut on April 5 at approximately 8:10 p.m. during the Night of Ideas, a free citywide event celebrating art, culture, and innovation, organized by the San Francisco Public Library, the Asian Art Museum, Villa Albertine, and KQED. A separate Grand Lighting celebration, hosted by Illuminate, will take place at a later date to be announced soon. The exhibit will be visible seven days a week, with specific hours to be determined.

The project is a partnership between Illuminate, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, the Asian Art Museum, and the Civic Center Community Benefit District (CCCBD).

“The Civic Center area—including Fulton, Civic Center, and UN Plazas—is quickly becoming one of San Francisco’s most dynamic public spaces, and SPECTRA takes it to the next level. This installation transforms the plaza into a breathtaking fusion of light, sound, and movement—an experience that reflects the creativity and innovation that define our city,” said Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “We’re thrilled to partner with Illuminate, the Civic Center Community Benefit District, and the Public Library to make public art an everyday part of life.”

About Illuminate

Illuminate’s mission is to rally large groups of people together to create impossible works of public art that, through awe, free humanity’s better nature. The San Francisco-based nonprofit’s large-scale and radically accessible installations are experienced by more than 20 million people annually. Iconic works include The Bay Lights on the Bay Bridge, Photosynthesis on the Conservatory of Flowers, Grace Light in Grace Cathedral, Hope Will Never Be Silent in the Castro, Monumental Reckoning in Golden Gate Park, and the revival of the Golden Gate Bandshell. In 2021, Illuminate and partner Steffen Franz began producing free live music events that now exceed 400 performances annually at venues throughout the city.  In 2022, Illuminate created a new immersive and whimsical art experience “The Golden Mile,” a former busy street turned promenade that runs through San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park.  In 2023, Illuminate, in partnership with Nu-Salt Laser, began a series of temporary large-scale art activations using laser space cannons on some of San Francisco’s most iconic landmarks, including Coit Tower, Sutro Tower, Grace Cathedral, and Market Street.  In 2024, Illuminate began an inspirational and transformative series of art installations and live music at Fulton Plaza. After a successful $11M fundraising effort, Illuminate expects to officially return The Bay Lights to the San Francisco waterfront in the fall of 2025. For more information Illuminate.org

About the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department 

The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department currently manages more than 235 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces throughout San Francisco, including two outside city limits—Sharp Park in Pacifica and Camp Mather in the High Sierras. The system includes full-complex recreation centers, swimming pools, golf courses, sports fields, and numerous small-to-medium-sized clubhouses that offer a variety of sports- and arts-related recreation programs for people of all ages. Included in the Department’s responsibilities are Golden Gate Park, Coit Tower, the Marina Yacht Harbor, the San Francisco Zoo, and Lake Merced. In 2017, San Francisco became the first city in the nation where all residents have access to a park within a 10-minute walk, a direct result of the Department’s commitment to increasing and improving parkland in the city.

About San Francisco Public Library

San Francisco Public Library is part of the city and county of San Francisco and has been an institution in San Francisco since 1879. The library system is made up of 27 neighborhood branch libraries, a Main Library, and four bookmobiles. Its mission is to connect the city’s diverse communities to learning, opportunities and each other.

About Joshua Hubert

Joshua Hubert, founder of GlowFidelity, is an Oakland-based light artist and California College of the Arts alumni, where he studied in the Glass department with a focus on Optics and Photonics. Known for his immersive public art installations, Hubert integrates light, technology, and community engagement to transform public spaces throughout the San Francisco Bay Area bringing vibrant light and interactive experiences to urban spaces. His work reflects his commitment to blending innovative technology with artistic expression, making art accessible and engaging for all. Through GlowFidelity, Joshua combines traditional handmade processes with cutting-edge lighting technologies and optical materials to create interactive art that invites public participation. His projects emphasize community involvement, collaboration, and the dynamic energy of public art.